HeBrews: A Better Blend
Hello, I’m so glad you are back for more of HeBrews: A Better Blend. As we study the book of Hebrews, we are learning all about ‘BETTER’ things. Thus, far we have considered chapter one of Hebrews which established the divinity of Jesus–His very God-ness. Last week we considered the humanity of Jesus and how He came to earth for the express purpose of becoming one of us. I asked you to read the entire second chapter of Hebrews and I hope you took a few moments to do that. Today, I want us to consider five verses in chapter two. Look again with me at Hebrews 2: 14-18. These are such important verses that I am going to type them out for you because I do not want you to miss them.
If we were sitting across from each other doing Bible study I would ask you to fill in some blanks from these verses. Instead I have included highlights (my own embellishments/comments) I do not want you to miss:
- 14 – Since the children (that is you and me) have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity (he became one of us) so that by his death he might destroy him (Satan) who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.
- 15 – And free those (all mankind) who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
- 16 – For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants (Jews and Gentiles who are willing to accept Him).
- 17 – For this reason he had to be made like his brothers (you and me) in even way (He was as human and you and me) in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for (pay the fine or debt for) the sins (disobedience and rebellion) of the people.
- 18 – Because he himself suffered when he was tempted (remember, the God-ness of Jesus was not tempted, the humanness was), he is able to help those who are being tempted.
In order for Jesus to pay the fine for our rebellion and disobedience to God, He had to become one of us. Jesus, as God, could not understand temptation, but Jesus as man totally experienced temptation. The difference is that while you and I sometimes give in to temptation, Jesus NEVER did. He overcame it by engaging the Word and prayer.
Our rebellion and disobedience is against God, bringing consequences and a penalty. The consequences are separation from a perfect and holy God, while the penalty is eternal death. In Jesus’ final earthly act, He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our rebellion and disobedience. His death on the cross said to God, “I will pay the fine owed by mankind. You give mankind my holy standing so they do not have to be separated from Us (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).”
Next week, we will continue our thoughts about the Great Exchange. For now, consider the following Meditation Moment.
MEDITATION MOMENT: Once again read Hebrews 2: 14-18 and share what from these verses spoke to you in a fresh way.
